LaCie today announced the third generation
of its award-winning PocketDrive now including both USB 2.0 and high-speed
FireWire interfaces. Offering speeds of up to 35MB/s, the new series of
PocketDrive will appeal to time-conscious users and DCC professionals looking
for a mobile yet high-speed storage tool.

The U&I* dual support lets the consumer choose between USB and FireWire
(i-link, IEEE1394) interfaces providing unrivalled connectivity. The drive can
be quickly hot-plugged on laptop and desktop computers regardless of the
operating system, making it ideal for transferring data or for expanding the
storage capacity of any USB or FireWire-equipped machine.

Combining capacities of up to 48GB with a rotational speed of 5400 rpm, the
PocketDrive gives mobile users a simple way to speed-up drive-intensive
applications like multimedia presentations, digital video, music editing,
personal backup or large file archiving.

The industry's fastest ultra-portable hard disk now also offers further
flexibility. The addition of a 40GB PocketDrive to the range caters for an
ever-increasing demand for capacity choice.

The 400Mbits/s FireWire interface delivers sustained data transfer rates of
up to 35MB/s. This exceptional performance, twice as high as traditional
FireWire disks, results from in-house developed FireWire to IDE bridges coupled
with 2,5' high-performance ATA100 disks and standard 2MB buffer.

Forty times faster than the previous USB 1.1 generation, USB 2.0 boosts the
connection performance to 480 Mbits/s, making it possible for USB users to
transfer large files such as videos or images.

The compact PocketDrive is housed in a unique, impact-resistant, rubberised
case providing additional data security. Furthermore the PocketDrive can be
safely carried in any laptop bag or even a jacket pocket. A groove around the
edge helps to keep the cables tidy.

Maximum connectivityU&I* provides connectivity with most current and
future Macintoshes and PCs (from Mac OS 8.6 to 10.1 and Windows98se to XP).

Most recent Apple and Sony computers have standard FireWire (i-Link) ports
and this high-speed interface is increasingly common on the professional PC
market. Offering maximum convenience to people on the move, the PocketDrive
draws power directly from the computer when used with FireWire (A/C adapter
supplied for use with USB or i-Link).

The high-speed capabilities of the USB 2.0 interface are fully optimised when
the computer is fitted with a USB 2.0 host-adapter. However owners of
USB1.1-equipped computers can still use their peripheral at the old standard's
maximum speed and keep the same drive when they upgrade to USB 2.0 or buy a new
computer. USB2.0 is expected to become the new standard and replace USB 1.1 in
new personal computers from 2002.

* USB and FireWire

Availability and PricingThe 3rd generation PocketDrive
is available from December at a recommended street price of: